The CANADIAN BLUES MUSIC AWARDS

The Canadian Blues Music Awards (CBMAs) is pleased to announce the WINNERS of its inaugural 2026 edition, presented this year by the Toronto Blues Society. For more information please visit The CBMAs website | TBS website.Brandon Isaak earned three awards – for Blues Song ("Walkin’ With The Blues"), Electric Blues Recording (Walkin’ With The Blues), and Blues Guitarist of the Year. Blue Moon Marquee won the Fan Favourite Award (chosen by the public) for Blues Artist or Group of the Year, while Tim Williams was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award (with entrants submitted by Blues Societies across Canada).

Representatives from throughout Canada's blues music ecosystem gathered in Toronto to celebrate and honour the best in the field. Hosted by Canada’s own consummate blues artist and radio personality Danny Marks, at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in downtown Toronto, the awards gala featured unforgettable performances from winners Steve Marriner (Blues Producer of the Year, tied for Blues Harmonica Player of the Year); Crystal Shawanda (Female Blues Vocalist of the Year); Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne (Blues Keyboard Player of the Year); triple winner Brandon Isaak; and nominee Dana Wylie.Created in 2025 to continue to bring greater exposure to the wealth of Canadian blues music, the CBMAs, in its first year of activity, honoured outstanding achievements in 16 categories. As part of a celebration of musical excellence in Canada, (replacing the long-standing Maple Blues Awards), artists recognized from coast to coast vied for the honours.Supporting all of the live performances, the gala backing band "Pass the Envelope" was Manny DeGrandis (Musical Director, bass), Quincy Bullen (keyboards), Dave Patel (drums), plus Cecile Doo-Kingue (guitar), and Dan Jancar (sax). Blazing Kitchen provided tacos during the show, and the after-party featured performances by nominee Glenn Marais & The Mojo Train; winner Ollie Owens (Emerging Blues Artist or Group of the Year);  nominees JP LeBlanc and Secondhand Dreamcar; and more.

"As we launch the CBMAs, we celebrate the outstanding community of singers, songwriters, and musicians who remind us all why the blues matter," said CBMAs organizer Cindy McLeod. "Canadian blues musicians tell our stories, across the country and around the world. The CBMAs stand with them, support their journeys, and help ensure that their music continues to thrive."

MORE ABOUT THE CBMAs:

Canada's new National Blues Music Awards program, the Canadian Blues Music Awards is an incorporated national not-for-profit, whose mandate is to govern, create, operate, maintain, and update the CBMA and its processes.

Inspired by the overwhelming response to the 2023 Maple Blues Awards (MBAs), and the many resultant ideas that evolved, a steering committee was formed to help shape the future of the awards. Many months of research, consultation, and development resulted in a wholly independent organization — not a rebranding or restructuring of any previous programme – that created a foundation of governance, a fair and inclusive process, transparency, and nationwide engagement, intended to maximize the integrity and impartiality of the awards. The CBMAs operate as a separate entity: the Toronto Blues Society has no role whatsoever in governance, nominations, judging, voting, or any other element of the awards process. The TBS proudly hosted the gala ceremony this year, and there’ll be new hosts each year.

2026 CANADIAN BLUES MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS:

EMERGING BLUES ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Ollee Owens (Ollee Owens: Nowhere to Hide)

BLUES SONG OF THE YEAR

Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues (Walkin’ With The Blues)

ACOUSTIC BLUES RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Sue Foley: One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar

ELECTRIC BLUES RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues

BLUES PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Steve Marriner (Steve Marriner: Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean: This Old Life; David

Gogo: YEAH!)

FEMALE BLUES VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Crystal Shawanda (Crystal Shawanda: Sing Pretty Blues)

MALE BLUES VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Marcus Trummer (Marcus Trummer: From The Start)

BLUES GUITARIST OF THE YEAR

Brandon Isaak (Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues)

BLUES KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne (Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne: Ooh, Yeah!)

BLUES HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR TIE:

Guy Bélanger  (Guy Bélanger:  Postcards from London)

Steve Marriner (Steve Marriner: Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean: This Old Life; David Gogo: YEAH!)

BLUES HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jerry Cook  (Wailin’ Walker: All Fired Up)

BLUES DRUMMER OF THE YEAR TIE:

Jim Casson (Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns: Canboro Canborough)

Sylvain “Sly” Coulombe  (Chambers DesLauriers:  Our Time To Ride)

BLUES BASSIST OF THE YEAR

Jasmine Colette  (Blue Moon Marquee:  New Orleans Sessions)

BLUES VIDEO OF THE YEAR

The Harpoonist: “Show Me The Green” (Did We Come Here To Dance)

BLUES INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR TIE:

Bruce Morel (Morel Music International)

Ken Simms  (Think Tank Music Network)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Tim Williams

FAN FAVOURITE AWARD FOR BLUES ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Blue Moon Marquee